Squid Game Teams Up with JINRO Soju for Season 2 & Exclusive Themed Merchandise

JINRO to appear again in the newest season; partnership to offer limited edition JINRO bottles, a Young-hee drinking game device, and more

SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- HiteJinro's flagship soju brand, JINRO (Korean name 'Chamisul'), is teaming up with Squid Game for a unique collaboration featuring exclusive themed merchandise and specially designed limited editions.

Netflix's global phenomenon, Squid Game, is returning for its highly anticipated Season 2 on December 26, 2024. Directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk, the first season of the series became Netflix's most-watched show while introducing Korean dramas to a global audience. The new season brings back fan-favorites Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, and Gong Yoo, along with new cast members such as Im Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, and Lee Jin-wook.

JINRO Soju, fondly referred to as the "Green Bottle" in Squid Game Season 1, gained international attention when it was prominently featured on-screen. The memorable scene of Player 456, Seong Gi-hun, and Player 001, Oh Il-nam, sharing soju at a convenience store table became iconic, sparking a surge in global interest in Korean soju. Building on this momentum, HiteJinro has leveraged the opportunity to create a second major collaboration that integrates Squid Game characters and themes into its branding to cater to the hit show's many fans.

Limited Edition JINRO

As part of the collaboration, JINRO will offer limited edition Squid Game-themed soju bottles. Creative label designs will feature beloved characters like Young-hee, the Pink Guards, and the Front Man alongside JINRO's signature dew-drop logo. The label's Korean letters "ã…, ã…‡, ã……" are accented in Squid Game's signature pink, symbolizing the guards' shapes: circle, triangle, and square. These editions will be available for a limited time through channels:

• Japan: Supermarkets such as MaxValu, Don Quijote, Maruetsu, AEON; convenience stores like 7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart; Korean restaurants
• Mexico: Convenience stores including 7-Eleven, major supermarkets, HEB, Soriana, Korean restaurants
• Australia: Major EDG stores (Dan Murphy's, BWS), COLES stores (First Choice, Liquorland), Korean restaurants

Exclusive Merchandise for Fans

HiteJinro is also releasing four limited-edition collectibles inspired by Squid Game 2 characters:

• Young-hee drinking game device: A rotating Young-hee head, reminiscent of the "Red Light, Green Light" game, adds a playful twist to drinking games.
• Pink Guard figurines: These collectible toads, modeled after the guards, come in three ranks – circle, triangle, and square – reflecting their hierarchy.
• Participant apron: A stylish apron designed after the contestants' iconic uniforms.
• Character-themed soju glass: Adorable and functional, these glasses enhance any drinking experience.

These exclusive items will be available through special promotional events in Squid Game's most popular markets: Korea, Japan, Australia, and Mexico. Fans can follow HiteJinro's official Instagram pages for event details.

A Collaboration That Breaks Boundaries

Uniting Squid Game, Netflix's record-breaking show, and JINRO soju, the world's best-selling spirit, promises to captivate fans globally just as Season 2 aims to make streaming history once again.

The game must go on. Stay tuned to experience JINRO's role in the second chapter of the Squid Game saga.

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

Squid Game Teams Up with JINRO Soju for Season 2 & Exclusive Themed Merchandise

Squid Game Teams Up with JINRO Soju for Season 2 & Exclusive Themed Merchandise

Code Name: BlueSpot, a Go AI, is disclosed ahead of the handicap-match events in the 10th-anniversary year of the historic AlphaGo–Lee Sedol match.

NEW YORK, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Issued by Code Name: BlueSpot Operations

Code Name: BlueSpot, the Go AI that embodies novel technology, is introduced today at the dawn of the 10th-anniversary year of the historic AlphaGo–Lee Sedol match.

As the milestone year begins to unfold, planning is underway for a Handicap-Adjustment Series as the main event—a series of public matches between BlueSpot and top-tier professional Go players. The intent is straightforward: to offer a clear perspective on the current discourse around AI—particularly the "AI bubble" narrative and its underlying assumptions—and to place demonstrable performance above private, unverifiable claims.

As a preliminary step, an Open Test—not a closed evaluation—in handicap-adjustment format is being prepared for the first half of 2026 (targeting March). It will be live-streamed online, feature multiple professional players drawn from a disclosed ranking range, and proceed under official refereeing. The venue will be announced in late January; final venue arrangements are underway across a small set of East Asian host locations.

BlueSpot is presented at this stage only as a code name. Further details will be disclosed with the main event. For the latest updates, visit https://codenamebluespot.com (Short link: https://cblue.spot).

 

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

10 Years Since AlphaGo, Code Name: BlueSpot Disclosed Ahead of Handicap-Match Events